I usually refrain from commenting on beefy type internet matters but I think this discussion deserves some attention. Yes, the views available on Afron*rd.com stink of racism and are personally offensive but the real reason I want to comment on the back and forth posting between the writers is because they afforded me an opportunity to remember why I am a fan of ground breaking music, which for years was produced by people from within HipHop culture/communities. I embraced rap music at a young age because it embraced me. It was mostly sincere, probing, relatable, fun, innovative and inclusive.
Afr*nerds state their general purpose is to set the tone for alternative Black interests and information, which is great, but in practice what they accomplish is a perpetuation of racial boundaries and flawed logic. Unfortunately, this negative contribution outweighs their noble and buried intent. Granted, I never heard of the filthy Afron*rd blog until now and I’ll probably forget about them before the day is up. I know they must have some content published that is entertaining or thoughtful. But the few samples of writing I came across, the imagery, the terminology (I wonder if Bambatta goes around using terms like “us” and “ours” when he delineates “his” people?) all point to egos that define their world through their interpretation of race and color, not through understanding or critical analysis. Is that what HipHop is or was? An attempt at exclusivity? Not a multifaceted form of expression?
I would argue that early participants of HipHop related activities rebuffed racial boundaries and I would further argue strongly that HipHop emerged from the merger of different cultures and varied experiences, not through the separation of peoples based on their blackness, whiteness or portaricaness (as Latinos were popularly referred to). The music that provided the samples, the steps that provided the foundation for the styles of dance and the language that provided the jargon were all emanating from a diverse set of people, not just one race or another. The desperation to express oneself, to have fun, to be heard, all these things led to an incredible explosion of moving and creative art. These desires are universal. The music was especially embraced as an outlet for racial tension and other emotional experiences. But race was just one of the many topics. It must have been such a liberating experience, no wonder it became a popular theme, but in no way was early HipHop just about or just for African-american people.
What is HipHop today? Who knows. Can anyone really discern HipHop from popular culture? Maybe I’ll tune into Hot 97 later for a refresher but it seems to me that early HipHop is long gone. Now we have the remnants and memories which live mostly through writing and music. Even the definition of the term itself is so contested and carries so many different interpretations that we mostly reject it. It’s not even about HipHop music for me anymore, it’s just about good music with grand goals. Link
Blah, Blah. So what’s Your point? And YOU also believe early HipHop was the brainchild of Blacks, Latinos, ANF other folks? Obviously another individual who was not there but seems to be comfortable with distorting history. This “we are the world”, “can’t we all get along” version of how it all went down is far from reality and complete b.s. maybe you should take another look at the Afronerd blog, it seems to be a bit much for you, but you still might learn something.
My point is that the afron*rd blog is more interesting as an outlet for offensive biased logic than as an outlet for entertaining alternative black culture. And I do not believe hiphop was the brainchild of any individual or group of individuals. I can’t imagine it was formulated to be what it was or that it was given a name prior to it’s existence, like some marketing campaign. It more likely came into being through the natural expression of a group of individuals with exposure to various backgrounds and cultures. Sure, most mcs back then were black and most breakers were latino/hispanic. So what? The people getting busy in the parties were from everywhere, especially when the parties got bigger and started taking place all over the city. And more so when the music/language/dance started to get passed down and spread throughout the country. By the time i was growing up in queens, hiphop was more defined and it was definitely not exclusive to blacks or any race. Again, I’m not debating the background of the first mcs or the first graff writers or the first breakers. I’m debating the misconception that black music or latino music is just for blacks or latinos. I’m debating that the perpetuation of racial boundaries is healthy. I’m debating that only blacks and latinos made signficant contributions to “early” hiphop (define early). And I’m also debating the definition of HipHop as static vs dynamic. I’m curious to know what HipHop is comprised of for you? Do you limit it to the artists? To a certain time period? Do you exclude the listeners or observers? And also, I’m not saying everyone got along back then or now, I’m saying most people, no matter the color, could and can appreciate it. Lastly, the afron*rd blog is a bit too much for me and I did learn something from visiting but I probably won’t be going back.
I do not believe anyone at Afronerd ever said that HipHop is JUST for Blacks or Latinos. The issue is truth, as it pertains to history, and maintaining an accurate historical account of the music. Being from Queens, as you said, you of all people should have a better grasp of the accurate history of HipHop considering NY is its birthplace. The fact of the matter is, this music rose from the ashes of cuts in educational programs in schools, specifically the music programs, during the 1970′s. Blacks and Latinos, period, were the early pioneers of this music. By the way, jazz is enjoyed by folks of all nationalities, but will you also dismiss the fact that this music is also the brainchild of Black people? I think not. The point is simply to maintain accuracy with our history. It is our responsibility to do that, no one else will. And I hope you would not want HipHop, 100 years from now, to have the same inaccurate historical retelling that Rock & Roll suffers from.
What exactly is your beef with the Afronerd blog?